Bahrain Education Ministry bans ‘slime’ toys from public schools

Manama : ‘Slime’ toys the old, new craze among kids all over the world are banned from classrooms in Bahrain. 

Education Ministry, in a circular issued on October 3, instructed principals of public school to prohibit the do-it-yourself toys from campus. 

Originally designed to improve the motor skills of children, slimy toys, first introduced in the 1970s, contains a liquid material composed of polymers, which experts say can produce harmful effects. 

The circular which warns about the dangers of using the substance requires schools to “punish students who defy the instructions”.

The ministry has warned of dangers with using boric acid or Borax, which is commonly used as a cleaning product or pesticide. 

The toy contains “flammable substances such as boric acid, glue and other substances” which can cause medical problems to “respiratory system and skin”, the circular warns. 

The move follows a similar warning issued by Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry 11 months ago, citing health concerns. 

In November last year, the Ministry warned that “homemade slime toys contain gum, boric acid, washing powders, toothpaste and other materials that risk the health of children”.

However, despite repeated official warnings, several websites and stores are continuing to sell the toys in the Kingdom. 

The circular says, “The use of slime toys are spreading among students.”